Virgil Van Dijk says Liverpool are the rightful Premier League champions after thrashing Tottenham to clinch title - 'We're truly deserving champions'

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Liverpool secured their 20th title in the English top flight with a stunning 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. The Reds were superb after going a goal down, and Virgil van Dijk believes that his side deserves to finish the campaign as Premier League champions. The title triumph is Liverpool's second since the 2019/20 season, when they won it under Jurgen Klopp.

Van Dijk hails Liverpool as ‘well-deserved winners’ after clinching Premier League title

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Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool deserved to be Premier League champions after clinching the title with a sensational 5-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield.

Dominic Solanke gave the visitors a shock early lead, but The Reds were 3-1 up at the break after goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.

Arne Slot's side only needed a point to wrap up the title, but they returned to the pinnacle of English football in style after Mohamed Salah's finish and a Destiny Udogie own goal in the second half.

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Van Dijk, who extended his contract with the club earlier this month, insists Liverpool deserve to be champions after a phenomenal campaign.

"Of course [These moments will live with me my entire life]," he told Sky Sports. "It is special and it is something that we don't take for granted.

"It is amazing, it is amazing what today was, obviously there are a lot of emotions before the game, through the whole week, but we got the job done.

"We are truly deserving champions of England. The most beautiful club in the world, and I think we deserve all of this. The lads should enjoy the next couple of weeks."

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The result leaves Liverpool 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with just 12 points left to play for.

The triumph is Liverpool's second Premier League crown in five years, after going three decades without a league title before that.

Their fans were not allowed into Anfield to witness the climax of their last Premier League-winning season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Van Dijk insists he wanted to get the club over the line for them.

"Yeah, let it sink in," he added. "I was desperate [to win the league] for them and for all the fans around the world, for the fans here.

"We have got two Premier League trophies in five years, that is a good achievement."

‘You can see the numbers’ - Salah pays tribute to Slot

Mo Salah was quick to pay tribute to the Liverpool manager in the wake of their triumph, with Arne Slot having steered Liverpool to the title in his first full season with the club.

"He’s quite tough, Dutch is quite tough with his personality," Salah said in the wake of Liverpool's win.

"He made our life easier because immediately he knew what he wanted you to do, which is what we did. I’m glad we won it here."

Salah is in the midst of an incredible season, with 28 goals to his name in the Premier League and 18 assists - something that has come about thanks to Slot’s style of play, and what he expects of his star forward.

"You can see the numbers… Now I don’t have to defend much," Salah added. "It’s quite hard to say one thing [that is different], but the tactics are quite different.

"I told him: ‘As long as you rest me defensively, I will provide offensively. Try to rest me… and I will show you the numbers’. I’m glad that I did.

"It’s quite tricky because when you play in the Premier League you have to defend also. I told him that I can gamble here and there, but when I get the ball I am always free and can make the difference.

"I think the number of assists also shows that. It’s not just goals - it’s about creating chances that are different for the team."

Salah was also quick to pay tribute to the fans, Liverpool's last title coming in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in celebrations in front of empty stands.

"It is incredible to win this with our fans," Salah said to Sky Sports.

"This is 100% better than last time [in 2020], especially with the fans. We have a different group now so to show we can do it again is something special."

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